I remember once hearing this odd saying...No good deed goes unpunished.

And the first time I heard it,I admit confusionI could not make sense of it.

Until it happened to me.And now we see it happening to David...​only on a much grander scale,affecting so many others.It happened after thisthat the king of the people of Ammon died,and Hanun his son reigned in his place. Then David said,“I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash,as his father showed kindness to me.”2 Chronicles 10:1-2 NKJV

So David goes about his good deed.He wants to return a kindness.So he figures that as this new king Hunan,the son of Nahash, morns his father,it would be good to send some messengers...bringing a word of comfort to him.

Similar to what we do today...Like when we make someone a meal,send them a sweet note, orsimply spend time with them.

But somehow, this gets misinterpreted.

For the princes of Ammon suggest to king Hanun...Has David not rather sent his servants to youto search the city, to spy it out, and to overthrow it?”2 Chronicles 10:3

Really?Who are these princes...that they need to cause this new king to be suspicous?As they tenderly touch off a trail of dominos...having no idea of it's devastating end.

Now the messengerswho were sent as ambassadors...obedient representatives,on a mission for King David have becometargets of torment,subjects of shame,objects of oppression.A needless harm done to men of good repute.

Thankfully David honors them well,protects their honor,gives them time away.

But now the dominos fall faster, harder...spreading in more directions than expected.

Armies begin to march,battle lines are drawn,prayers are lifted high...Be of good courage,and let us be strong for our peopleand for the cities of our God.And may the Lord do what is good in His sight.2 Samuel 10:12

But over forty-thousand lives were still lost...All because a few princesspoke out of turn...killing the kindness of a king.

Hence the phrase...No good deed goes unpunished.

And now I simply understand it to mean,that people have a hard time trustingin the kindness of others.

Maybe it is simply that those peopleare lacking kindness themselves.So they cannot understand it from others.

But let us never give up being kindbecause of those people.Rather let us make it our goalto be continually kind,causing them to stop being suspicious.

Let us change them...instead of them changing us!

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good.At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.Galatians 6:9 NLT

Word of God,train me, today...to continually be kind, no matter how others behave,to believe that my kindness matters and can be my part to change the world.

Lord, give me strengthto be the change others need.

Encourage me to be kindalways.Help me notto become discouragedby unkindness,but ratherpress on and be kindin the face of it.

Love this and makes so much sense! Not everyone understands kindness and not always take it as the gift you mean to give! Love the comparison!!!
Love you friend

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Lisa

4/26/2016 05:39:43 pm

Mandy, I have learned many of the greatest lessons of kindness from you. Even in the face of great adversity. You set a standard. You give a reason for others to stop and think about their actions. You have blessed me more than you will ever know!

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janice

4/26/2016 02:54:51 pm

I so needed this today.Thank you. Some very backhanded things were done by adult sibling and God told me to remain quiet.That's hard in this situation. But I prayed for strength to be the change that others need....thank you for allowing the Holy Spirit to speak through you!

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Lisa

4/26/2016 05:45:08 pm

Janice
Your words are timely as well to my soul.
For God knows when I fight a spirit of discouragement. I am so glad that God works through me. That is my prayer. Never to bring glory to myself. But only to serve, to encourage, to pass along what I hear Him tell my heart.
Blessings upon your family.
May God keep a guard over your lips and stand peacefully at the door of your heart!

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from my heart...

I write as an overflow... an expression of my true love for God and with a deep desire to encourage others in their day to day lives. For we can only find peace, joy, and satisfaction when we yield to the One who yielded His life for us.